Pennsylvania US Representative District 17
Description of office: The US Constitution requires that the House of Representatives be composed of Representatives from each state, elected in proportion to population. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, with 17 Representatives allotted to Pennsylvania after the 2020 census. A US Representative must be at least 25 years old, have been a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and be a resident of the state they seek to represent at the time of the election (though not necessarily the same district). The House of Representatives is responsible for introducing and voting on bills, resolutions and amendments, and for approving the budget. Representatives also serve on various policy committees. The House may send Articles of Impeachment of elected officials to the Senate and elects the President if there is a tie in the Electoral College.Term: 2 yearsSalary: $174,000Vote for ONE.
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Chris Deluzio
(Dem)
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Rob Mercuri
(Rep)
What do you see as the most pressing issues facing the country, and how would you address them?
What changes, if any, would you support that would help Congress function more efficiently and effectively?
What legislation would you support to protect voting rights and safeguard access to free and fair elections?
How do you view the role of the US in responding to challenges facing the international community?
County
Allegheny
Occupation
Attorney
Education
U.S. Naval Academy, Georgetown Law
Qualifications
Iraq War veteran, Voting rights attorney, union organizer
The stakes for our democratic system could not be higher. I first swore an oath to defend our Constitution as a 17-year-old at the Naval Academy, and my commitment to this democracy of ours has never wavered. We cannot allow anti-democratic extremism and political violence to continue. The insurrection and violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, egged on by right-wing extremists and their allies, must never happen again. I'm confident that the overwhelming majority of Americans are committed to our nation's success and will defend our democracy. Democracy requires ongoing care, which is why I support practical reforms like ending gerrymandering, strengthening voting rights, and reducing corporate influence in politics.
Powerful corporations wield far too much power and influence over our government. Huge sums of money flow into elections through opaque dark money channels, electing politicians willing to carry water for corporations and their billionaire bosses. It’s hardly surprising that voters are losing faith in the system. This is why I support legislation to overturn Citizens United, reinstating sensible campaign finance limits and reducing the influence of Super PACs. I am also a staunch advocate for banning sitting members of Congress from stock trading and instituting increased financial transparency and disclosure requirements.
When I began my career in civil rights law, I never anticipated that our democracy would be in such peril. From my time at the Brennan Center for Justice, to working to secure Pennsylvania's elections in my position as policy director at Pitt Cyber, I am deeply committed to fighting for voting rights. Now, as a member of Congress, I am a vocal supporter of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, the Freedom to Vote Act, and other legislation that strengthens our democracy.
I've been through a war, and I don't buy into the idea of forever war. I'll never support sending Americans to war unless I'm ready to face people and admit I'm willing to send both my own children and theirs into battle. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’ve focused on ensuring our service members receive excellent pay and benefits and are supplied with the best equipment and weapons. That also requires us to tackle price gouging and the lack of competition in the defense industrial base to protect public money. I believe in protecting democracy around the world, standing up to autocrats and dictators, fighting for our human rights, and keeping promises to our allies.
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